At a glance: Yemen

Yemen conflict: A devastating toll for children

The conflict in Yemen has taken a devastating toll, particularly on the most vulnerable members of society: children.

Even before the outbreak of conflict in March 2015, Yemen faced challenges from widespread poverty, food insecurity and lack of health services.

But now, more than 22 million people – and nearly all children – are in desperate need of humanitarian assistance. The country’s infrastructure has been destroyed and its health services crippled.

More than 5,000 children have been killed or injured in the violence – an average of five children every day since the conflict began. Even after the conflict ends, the effects of malnutrition – stunted growth and delayed cognitive development – may linger. In the worst cases, it is fatal.

The number of out-of-school children – already high before the conflict – has ballooned to over two million. Education for these children cannot wait.

The country’s water and sanitation infrastructure has also been ravaged, posing serious health risks. Restrictions on the importation of fuel have disrupted the delivery of water to millions of people in one of the most water-scarce countries on Earth. Fuel shortages have also curtailed access to health care, as hospitals are unable to power the generators they need to function.

On 6 October 2016, health authorities in Yemen confirmed a cholera outbreak, posing a major health risk to the population – especially children – given the crumbling health system in the country. Suspected cholera and acute watery diarrhoea have affected over 1 million people, with children under 5 years old accounting for a quarter of all cases. On top of this, a diphtheria outbreak in early 2018 has now reached over 1,200 cases.

UNICEF is working hard to alleviate the effects of the conflict on children and families by delivering lifesaving services and supplies, including health, nutrition and vaccination services for mothers, newborns and children; preparing for potential disease outbreaks; expanding treatment services for children with malnutrition; and supporting displaced families through provision of safe water and hygiene facilities.

UNICEF and its partners urgently need to secure funding. Yemen’s needs are great to provide the most basic health, education and protection services in 2018.

>> Learn more about the humanitarian situation for children in Yemen

Watch: Videos from UNICEF Yemen

>>  See more videos from UNICEF Yemen

Meet: Children and families affected by the crisis

Mohanned a child battling malnutrition	Rania a determined student	Arafat a child fighting cholera

>>  Read more stories and perspectives from Yemen

Read: The latest press releases and statements

In Yemen, children’s education devastated after three years of escalating conflict
SANA'A, 27 March 2018 – Nearly half a million children have dropped out of school since the 2015 escalation of conflict in Yemen, bringing the total number of out-of-school children to 2 million, according to a UNICEF assessment released today.

3 million children born into war in Yemen
SANA’A, 16 January 2018 – More than 3 million children have been born in Yemen since the escalation in violence in March 2015 according to a new UNICEF report.

WHO, WFP and UNICEF: Yemen’s families cannot withstand another day of war, let alone another 1,000
NEW YORK, 29 December 2017 – “We have passed the grim milestone of 1,000 days of war in Yemen. As violence has escalated in recent days, children and families are yet again being killed in attacks and bombardments.

UNICEF airlifts nearly 6 million doses of vaccines for children in Yemen amid intensifying violence and import restrictions
SANA’A, 20 December 2017 – A UNICEF-chartered plane landed today in Sana’a and delivered nearly 6 million doses of essential vaccines to protect millions of children at risk of preventable diseases, including the current diphtheria outbreak that has reportedly infected over 300 people and killed 35.

Deepening water crisis in Yemen amid severe fuel shortages
AMMAN/SANA’A, 19 December 2017 – Recent restrictions on imports of fuel to Yemen have sparked critical shortages and price hikes across the country, severely impacting access to safe water and other vital services for children including health care and sanitation.

>> See the latest from the UNICEF press centre